THE good news for Glamorgan is the cavalry are on their way. The bad news is it will not arrive before Essex have taken the flimsy fortress that is Sophia Gardens.

While Glamorgan were staring another one of those ignominious defeats that polluted the 2005 season, new overseas star Mark Cosgrove began his Australia international career with 74 from 69 balls against Bangladesh yesterday.

Cosgrove was due to arrive back in Wales today and is due to play in the Cheltenham and Gloucester Trophy clash against Ireland on May Day.

Not far behind Cosgrove will be James Franklin, who also showed ability with the bat yesterday in New Zealand's second Test against South Africa in Cape Town.

Not only did Franklin, batting No 9, score 93 not out, but he also faced 220 balls and shared in a 256-run partnership with his skipper Stephen Fleming.

That showed real application, something director of cricket John Derrick has demanded of his players this season as the county look to turnaround their dismal form from 2005.

There had been real hope in Glamorgan ranks overnight that they could build on 166-2 at the end of day two, and even get to the follow-on figure of 490.

But when they were dismissed for 337, still 302 adrift, and were then 91-4 second time round at the close last night, that proved to be rash optimism.

The steady procession of batsmen began when Michael Powell was bowled by a top-class seaming ball from Darren Gough.

To be fair to Ryan Watkins, 76 overnight, deserved a maiden first-class century for the way he approached his innings. There was plenty of leaving outside his off stump, punctuated by some impressive driving.

But Watkins was undone by the introduction of spin, offering a catch to forward short leg off Tim Phillips' second ball.

Glamorgan's problem was summed up in that Powell and Watkins was the second of four partnerships to reach 50, but unlike Essex, who boasted three centurions, there was no one who could really dig in for the long-haul.

The likes of Richard Grant, Nicky Peng and Alex Wharf all got themselves established before playing shots they would have later regretted in the context of the match.

There was stoic resilience from Mark Wallace, but he was left three short of his half century as Glamorgan lost their last three wickets for the addition of just one run.

Essex captain Ronnie Irani might have thought twice about batting a second time to give his bowlers a bit of a rest after taking them 109.5 overs to bowl Glamorgan out.

But it is early season and Darren Gough and co were itching to have a go at Glamorgan's fragile batting.

Last season Glamorgan followed-on on five occasions so one would think they are used to such exercises by now.

Still, they managed to lose both openers within 16 overs as they were reduced to 23-2.

Watkins was not able to replicate his encouraging performance of the first innings and was bowled by Andre Adams in the eighth over.

Dan Cherry, who enjoyed his breakthrough season last summer, followed seven overs later caught at short leg off Phillips.

And Glamorgan could have so easily have been three down when Ryan ten Doeschate put down a sharp chance off his own bowling from David Hemp.

Hemp and Powell looked to have done enough to hang around for the fourth day, but 10 minutes before the close Hemp was well caught at slip by the diving Andy Flower off James Middlebrook to force night watchman Wharf into action.

But Wharf could only last an over before being trapped leg before by Ravinder Bopara. A sorry day on which 12 Glamorgan wickets fell, was complete.